Acquisition and Processing Information

Dr. Agnes L. Reynes-Williams donated this collection to the Washington State
University Libraries in 2007 (MS 2007-05). Cheryl Gunselman processed the
collection in 2007.

Extent/Quantity Information

Number of Containers: 1

Linear Feet of Shelf Space: .25

Collection History

Agnes Reynes-Williams, a young physician from the Philippines, first wrote
to Gisele Freund, a well-known European photographer, after reading an article
about her in Reader's Digest magazine in 1986. Freund wrote back, and this
commenced a correspondence which continued through 1994. The two women never
met.

Collection Description

This collection consists of 18 letters from photographer Gisele Freund to
Dr. Agnes L. Reynes-Williams. The correspondence demonstrates a relationship
that began with Reynes-Williams' interest in Freund's work and life, and
progressed to a long-distance friendship. In her letters, Freund provided
Reynes-Williams with encouragement and advice related to her career, and also
discussed her own life and travels. In her 80s at the beginning of the
correspondence (she described herself as "over 70"), Freund was still
professionally active, and she frequently wrote about her work, including her
books, exhibits and public appearances, and a visiting scholar grant she
received from the Getty Foundation in Los Angeles during the 1980s.